She was never asked to carry anything.
Things were simply placed in her hands.
At first, she counted them. She wanted to be fair to herself. She wanted to know how much was being asked of her.
But the counting never stayed finished. Each time she set something down, another thing appeared, already waiting.
So she stopped counting.
People came to her because she was steady. When they were afraid, they stood near her. When they were uncertain, they asked her what to do.
She answered when an answer was required. When it was not, she listened.
Someone once said to her, “You are strong.”
She did not reply.
Another said, “You make this look easy.”
She smiled, because smiling was easier than explaining.
There was a day when she did not rise as early as usual. The house noticed before the people did.
Later, someone asked her, “Why do you always carry so much?”
She said, “I do not carry more than what arrives.”
The person said, “And if nothing arrived?”
She was quiet for a long time.
Then she said, “Then everyone would finally feel what has been resting in my hands.”
And the question was not asked again.